All Blacks doing their homework

SPOTLIGHT: There is a good reason why New Zealand remains the leading light in the game. They always look for ways to improve and evolve.

Even facing lowly Japan does not mean they will be slacking off.

In fact, the one-off Test between the All Blacks and the Brave Blossoms at the Ajinomoto Stadium, in Tokyo, is being approached just like they are playing a tier one country.

While New Zealand will field a less-experienced side on Saturday, All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said they will be ready for whatever the wily Japanese throw at them.

“We’ve got to be smart, we’ve got have a game plan that we can adapt and adjust to what’s happening,” Foster said in an interview on the official All Black website.

That meant the week’s preparation was spending time helping those chosen to understand the intended game plan, and the reasons for it, so they could just go out onto the field knowing what cues to look for and acting on them, he said.

The routine was similar to preparation for any Test match and it was for the new players to get on board and to work with the more experienced players to get the clarity they needed.

“There’s plenty of homework going on behind the scenes at this stage,” Foster said.

Foster said he had been impressed with the way Japan came back from conceding a big 7-31 lead to the World XV last week, to lose just 28-31 and they had played well with their ball-in-hand game in the wet.

And Japan also has plenty of inside knowledge on the All Blacks, especially in form of veteran former Chiefs loose forward Michael Leitch.

“He’s clearly an inspirational player for that team,” Foster said.

Then there is the influence of Hurricanes coach John Plumtree, as an assistant coach for Japan – with the responsibility of defence.

Foster said there were similarities between the ways the Hurricanes defended and the way Japan did.

Source: allblacks.com